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Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Pinehirst RV Resort is very close to the pier. One evening we went for a stroll on the beach. The pier is uneventful, but I did get a good picture from the shoreline. As luck would have it, at the park’s entrance was a place where we could purchase fresh whole lobsters. They even steamed them for you. Dinner was two bright red, soft shell lobsters with no fussing with boiling water. Absolutely delicious!
Portland was our day trip, and it was worth the drive. Its restaurants, shops, and harbor were a delight. We wanted to take a ride on the schooner, but once again, the winds were more than we wanted to tackle. I don’t think a schooner ride is on the agenda for this visit to the New England Coast. The array of fresh fish was so different than those caught in Florida. The fish market was tantalizing, but I didn’t have room in the freezer, so we had to pass. Lunch was fireside pizza along the boardwalk, and we had the most humorous waiter, which made the experience much more enjoyable.
The Eastern Promenade Trail paralleled the coastline and ended at a park overlooking the ocean. The park was a field of grass where blankets, children, and picnics were all around. Various types of food trucks were bustling, and YES, we had ice cream. It was a beautiful sunny day to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
I have fallen in love with the numerous lighthouses and was not disappointed. There were several in Portland, but we rode to Ft. William Park, where the lighthouse was in excellent condition. Good thing we now have digital cameras, or it would be a small fortune if I had to develop the film of all the pictures I have taken.
Kennebunkport was suggested to us as a town to visit. It was bumper-to-bumper traffic leading into this small town which was perplexing. At last, we could find a parking spot and walk into the town. People were everywhere! We soon realized the streets bustled with people celebrating Pride Week. They had a live band, an art show, and various entertainment to celebrate. We went into a few shops but quickly realized we didn’t want to hassle with the crowd. There was a lighthouse not far, so we hopped in the car and took off. Mitch is still miffed I didn’t take a picture of it. I didn’t think it was worthy. Hilariously, this lighthouse was in a little neighborhood and stood about 8 feet tall. Smallest lighthouse ever. On our way out, I noticed a private residence whose yard sculptures were picture worthy. I hope you agree.
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Working our way back to Florida- Camden, ME and Surrounding Areas
Camden State Park was nestled in the woods and offered many hiking trails. The spectacular view of the summit of Battie Mountain is stunning as it overlooks Camden Harbor and Penobscot Bay. The stone tower is a memorial for all those serving in WWI. The hike up Megunticook Mt. was arduous but worth it. It is the second-highest mountain on the east coast, with Cadillac Mountain in Maine coming in first.
The quaint town of Camden did not disappoint. It has it all! Shops, restaurants, a beautiful harbor, and a library where most of the facility is underground. From Camden State Park, one has to go through Camden’s Historic District. The homes are outstanding. Typical of summer homes in the New England area. We would have set sail on one of the majestic schooners if it was warmer.
We searched out Curtis Lighthouse Overlook on our way to Wiscasset and almost missed it. A tiny sign perched on a tree only indicated we were there. A short walk ends, and across the bay is the Curtis Lighthouse. Glad I have a zoom lens on my phone to capture this wonderful lighthouse.
Wiscasset, ME
Mitch kept saying he had to go to Red Eats the entire trip. The tiny shack boasts of having the best lobster roll in Maine. Many famous people have gone there to try its delicacy, and this establishment has been in various notable publications as the best. People told us that the line is about 2 hours long in summer. It did not disappoint. The much sought-after lobster meat was piled high on the roll. A thumbs up from Mitch. As a side note, they only take cash!
Boothbay, ME
We enjoyed this town. Lots of little shops to meander in. Places to grab a bite and an ice cream shop where everything was handmade. Delicious! The Boothbay Footbridge is a 1000 ft wooden pedestrian bridge connecting both sides of the harbor. There is also a place to put your love locks on the fence for all to see. It offers a fantastic view of the harbor and the boats moored on the docks. The sight is tranquil and takes you away from busy life. We took time to relax and enjoy ourselves.
Rockland, ME
Rockland is a short ride from Camden and worth the trip to see the Breakwater Lighthouse. A lighthouse! I’m there. One must go one mile over the uneven sea wall to get to this lighthouse. We did this late in the afternoon, and the wind was nasty, but we trudged forward. Along the way, we spotted a baby seal on the side of the seawall. Someone explained mothers often leave their young on a ledge because they don’t have the strength to handle the rough waters. The moms search for food, return to their pups with food at high tide and take them to calmer waters.
We covered a lot of ground on our stay at Camden and loved every minute of it. Wonderful memories were created, and we hope a visit will be in your future.
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Acadia National Park (Part 4) Schoodic Peninsula, Maine
On recommendations of a local, it was suggested we visit the third part of Acadia National Park. It is the only part of the park on the mainland. The other two areas are on Mount Desert Island. As you can surmise, it’s a pretty big park. It was a fifty-minute ride from our campground.
Thankfully, we enjoy car rides, and the roads were planked by beautiful trees, including Birch. (I love these trees) When we arrived, we were greeted by huge boulders and the roaring sound of the Atlantic Ocean. It was mesmerizing to watch the waves crash against the rocks, exploding into a magnificent spray of water, and then cascade back to the ocean. We wandered along the rocks with the camera in tow, hoping to capture the sensation of the moment to share with you.
As usual, on the way back, we went exploring, and lo and behold – I spotted another lighthouse. Stop the car, let me out and snap away. (Like I don’t already have enough pictures of lighthouses). If my husband tires of my affinity for lighthouses and the need to stop to capture their beauty, he never lets on. He is most accommodating. However, marriage is a give and take. I take him to lighthouses, and he takes me on scary hikes up the mountain. Hmm – is that a win-win scenario?
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Acadia National Park (Part 3)– Bar Harbor, Maine
If you don’t have much time to see the park, the way to do it is to take Loop Road. This paved road has many turn-offs and leads up to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Along the way, there are many scenic overlooks for one to visit. Our first stop was the sandy beach. At 47’, it wasn’t tempting to venture in, but it was low tide, and roaming among the enormous rocks was the highlight.
Next was the visit to Thunder Hole. One to two hours before the high tide is the best time for viewing. The water crashes into the rock formation, and of course, it sounds like thunder hence its moniker. Luckily, we arrived at the park before the Memorial Day crowds arrived and could enjoy nature’s show without feeling rushed.
The winding trek up to the summit of Cadillac Mountain was beautiful. From there, one can see the Atlantic Ocean’s vastness and the town of Bar Harbor. The sea vessels looked minuscule from this vantage point. Mitch and I decided we would wake up at 4:00 am and venture to watch the sunrise at 4:50 am. From here, one can be the first in the US to see the sunrise. The next morning, the friendly alarm goes off, and in the next few minutes, Mitch says, “Go back to bed. It’s overcast. We won’t see anything.” That scenario played over the next few days. We never did get to see the sunrise.
Maine is as I pictured it would be. I was enamored with the old lighthouses whose job was to warn the sailors from crashing into the rocks. Each is unique. I admire they still stand after centuries of violent storms, and angry waves pounding at its doors.
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Taste of Maine (Part 2) Acadia National Park Hikes
This park is rich in its history. The park was established in 1916, but uniquely it was the first whose land was donated entirely by private citizens. It has more than 47,000 acres. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. not only donated 10,000 acres of land but was responsible for 45 miles of carriage roads that wind through the park. As bikers, we appreciate roads where you don’t have to worry about cars coming too close or streets not having a bike path. These carriage trails are limited to hikers, bicyclists, and horses. Carriage rides are available. An enjoyable respite was a stop at the Jordon Pond House, known for its popovers.
Like most national parks, it beckons its visitors to enjoy its many hiking trails. The first was the Great Head Trail. This trail starts at the only sandy beach in the park. The water temperature rarely goes above 55 degrees, yet, believe it or not, there were people in the water. This hike was 1.4 miles with views overlooking Frenchman Bay and Gorham Mountain.
Our second hike was the Gorham Mountain trail. It’s a two-mile hike that boasts some spectacular views. The wind was pretty fierce but well worth the scenic view at the summit.
Our last hike was the one I feared the most. Mitchell was itching to go on the Beehive Trail. In our discussion with the park ranger, he felt this was the scariest trail in the park because it’s very steep and goes along the cliff edge. Dread filled my body, but no way was I going to let him do it alone. We arrived at the park by 7:30, and hikers were beginning to start this epic journey. It was a gorgeous morning. The sun was up, the skies were clear, and the wind was a non-issue. We began to hike up the rocks when we came upon a sign forewarning the danger of this hike. Mitch looked at me and asked, “What do you think?” My response was, “Let’s go for it. If I can’t do it, we can just stop and go back down.”. Well, there was NO turning back! I am not afraid of heights, but my more significant concern was climbing rocks, with me being 5 feet tall and not being in my 20s anymore.
This trail indeed was like rock climbing. Some spots had rails to grab to get up. Even with the rails, there were a few times Mitch had to give me a push-up. We made it to the top, and the view was undeniably magnificent. The panoramic view was well worth the harrowing experience, but I felt I had earned my badge of accomplishment. Would I have done this on my own? Absolutely not, but the love of my life pushes me beyond my comfort zone, and we get to reap the reward together.
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